Folk Horror Archives | Otaku No Culture

Why Queen of Bones Feels Like an Alluring A24 Film

In a tale about two siblings, Lily and Sam must face psychological dread, folk magic, and slow-burn suspense to figure out who is the Queen of Bones.

Queen of Bones movie poster featuring main characters Filmmaker Robert Budreau clearly loves A24 films—Queen of Bones borrows many of the studio’s signature elements, and that’s a strength. The atmosphere perfectly frames the story of siblings Lily (Julia Butters) and Sam (Jacob Tremblay), struggling to survive under the oppressive hand of their overbearing Protestant father (Martin Freeman). Every interaction with him carries weight, and the tension is palpable. Even the muted colour palette and the sparse, wind-whipped Oregon landscapes heighten the siblings’ vulnerability, turning the setting into an emotional character in its own right.

From the very beginning, psychological unease and a lingering sense of dread define the tone. Set during the Great Depression in the outskirts of Oregon, the story conveys survival as a matter of personal resourcefulness rather than community support. Every quiet moment is loaded with unease; the audience senses the siblings’ fear before any overt threat appears. This slow-building tension is classic: fear grows organically from circumstance and character, not cheap scares.

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A “Burning” Review of a Kyrgyzstani Film : Examining the Family Tragedy Where Duty is Fleeting

Burning is a psychological thriller from Kyrgyzstan that explores a family’s tragedy through multiple perspectives, blending folk horror with a chilling look at grief, guilt, and the societal pressures that keep communities silent.

Spoiler Alert

Very few people know where Kyrgyzstan is, and even fewer realise it has a growing film industry. Right now, that industry is innovating and expanding—and Burning stands at the forefront. Directed by Radik Eshimov, the film blends folk horror with a chilling exploration of a family falling apart at the seams. It begins with the mysterious murder of a boy whose killer remains unknown.

The story unfolds through multiple perspectives: the father’s mother, the grieving parents, and family friends—all searching for answers about Amirchik’s death. Farida (Elvira Sofiyeva), the family matriarch, embodies tradition and old-world ways. Often seen as the “old witch,” she firmly disapproves of her son Marat (Aibek Kudabaev) and daughter-in-law Asel’s (Nazgul Kenzhetay) plans for another child. Sofiyeva delivers an exceptional performance—both intimidating and commanding, demanding respect. Though she’s not my grandmother, the cultural echoes helped me connect her portrayal to my own heritage. Farida’s presence feels deeply matriarchal, even if her old ways cannot mend family rifts.

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In The Damned, Surviving Winter is Never Kind

Sometimes, being in the right mood helps make The Damned all the more haunting, and with regular cold nights being the norm for this reviewer, it’s certainly very chilling!

Available on Amazon Prime

The best way to experience Thordur Palsson’s The Damned is to turn off the heat! Whether at the theatre, where it continues to play, or at home, this wonderfully eerie film delivers solid chills when the viewing environment is perfect! That way, viewers can feel the cold as it settles. At the time, I had the temperature unintentionally dialed low.

In this remote 19th century village, Eva (Odessa Young) is now in charge and works hard to keep the fishermen from deserting. She was a wife to a fisherman who unfortunately perished in a shipwreck during their last fishing journey. While I’m not entirely sure how many people live in this hamlet, I suspect that the initial bunch of twenty something dwindled down to eight by the time this movie starts, and pretty soon, even those people are dying because there’s no food left.

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When tasting an Inhuman Kiss: The Last Breath (แสงกระสือ 2), What One Feels Is Not Quite Undead.

Although the sequel, Inhuman Kiss: The Last Breath took five years to get released, perhaps watching the first film is required to get viewers up to speed.

Now available on Digital and VOD

After Valentine’s Day weekend, all I can say is that love bites. After viewing a Thai film titled Inhuman Kiss: The Last Breath, I’m glad to not be currently dating anyone from South Asia. That lady can be 100% mortal by day and completely monstrous at night! According to folklore, the Krasue is this nation’s version of a vampire and the belief in them is real. Even today, people report sightings!

Most of the encounters come from farmers. While some manifestations may simply be swamp lights than will-o’-the-wisps, the fear is justified. They flit about the countryside in search of a midnight snack. Although they are not true vampires, just why they exist does not differ from why the Beholders from Dungeons and Dragons have sprung into being. They don’t guard treasure, but instead need to satisfy a bloodlust. This aspect is one concept this film gets right!

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Unboxing All Haunts Be Ours: A Compendium of Folk Horror Volume Two

There’s lots to love in All Haunts Be Ours Volume Two. Not only are more films from other countries are explored, but also there’s plenty of world wide and first time on blu-ray premieres, but also the bonus features look made just for this release too!

Kier-La Janisse

really loves her independent cinema and folk horror. After watching her award winning Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched Documentary (review link), which is available in All Haunts Be Ours box set, I am hooked! And since she knows that collection isn’t the end all be all, what she’s gathered together for All Haunts Be Ours: A Compendium of Folk Horror Volume 2 (Amazon link), looks simply amazing! The fact she’s delving into what other regions offer says it all, and I look forward to diving into the South Asian region which is where my heritage comes from!

All The Haunts Be Ours: A Compendium Of Folk Horror Vol. 2 — Available to purchase on Amazon USA

When considering she is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the School of Communication and Creative Arts at Deakin University and authored many scholarly books in the subject of genre cinema, she is well respected in the cinema and horror community! I need a week or two to watch as much as I can to give a detailed report, but in the meantime, here’s an onboxing video showcasing my initial reactions.

Unboxing All Haunts Be Ours: A Compendium of Folk Horror Volume Two

All The Deets on The Last Four Discs of All The Haunts Be Ours: A Compendium of Folk Horror Volume Two

In part three of this mega-post looking at All The Haunts Be Ours Volume Two, the world tour continues to expand and show why Folk Horror is the best subgenre to get your spook on.

In the final post in our detailed breakdown on what’s included in All The Haunts Be Ours: A Compendium Vol 2, what’s offered is perhaps the most exciting to date! Curated and produced by Kier-La Janisse, this collector’s set is continues in what volume one has started. And although the documentary that started it all, Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched (review link), is not part of the set, that’s perfectly okay. Severin films assume everyone has the first set, and has a solid understanding in what makes folk horror great. Also, it’s the perfect treat following Halloween to keep enjoyment year-round!

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